Bishop T. Larry
Kirkland - Chair, Commission on Publications
The
Reverend Dr. Johnny Barbour, Jr., Publisher
The
Reverend Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III, the 20th Editor, The Christian Recorder
Mark
and Save Date in your Calendars:
August National Immunization Awareness Month
1. TCR
EDITORIAL – TOO MANY OF US WAIT UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE:
Dr. Calvin H.
Sydnor III
The 20th
Editor of The Christian Recorder
I stopped by the
pharmacy a couple of days ago and saw the displays for Halloween and I thought to
myself, “Halloween isn’t until the end of October; it’s August, still
summer!”
And, in recent
years, I have noticed that more businesses are hyping-up their sales
advertisements for the holidays much earlier.
Back in the day, we
never saw Christmas displays until after Thanksgiving. Now, Christmas displays
begin immediately after Halloween.
Thanksgiving advertisements blend in with Halloween and ramps-up at the
close of Halloween; as a matter of fact the fall color scheme of Halloween and
Thanksgiving blend well and complements each other.
Businesses that
cater to the Martin Luther King Birthday celebration begin their hype during
the Christmas holidays when advertisers blend Kwanzaa to segue to the MLK
holiday.
Businesses know the
importance of advance planning in highlighting upcoming important events in the
lives of its citizens.
Every level of
government knows how to “fire-up the hype” with holidays, parades, fun-runs and
other special events.
The advertisement
hype is not only true in the United States, but it’s also true around the
world. When we lived in Germany, it seemed the German communities used any
excuse to have a fest. There were celebrations every weekend.
Celebrations are
meant to bring people together and celebrations help people to recall and
commemorate significant events.
Not only commemorate
Celebrations not
only commemorate significant events, celebrations are also a great business
model because it puts us in a joyful state of exuberance and in a state of
exuberance we tend to be in a mindset to spend money.
This past week, I
received a booklet in the mail from a religious mail-order organization
offering Advent and Christmas supplies. My first thought was, “Advent and
Christmas! This is still August!” Advent doesn’t begin until December 1, 2013.
But, wait…
I had an
opportunity to think about it and I remembered that I had seen the Halloween
displays at the drug store a few days earlier, which caused me too think maybe it’s
a good idea to focus earlier on the religious celebrations that are important
in the life of the church.
Too many of us wait until the last minute
I am sure many of
us have all witnessed religious educators and pastors waiting until a week or
two before Christmas to plan the local church Christmas program and to give out
the recitations they expect the children to learn instead of providing the
information earlier; and the same late-schedule planning behavior happens for
the Easter program.
When we wait until
the last minute time there is not enough time for parishioners to get hyped up
for the celebration.
We wonder why
religious celebrations are subservient to the secular business celebrations.
Businesses start earlier and they keep the hype up and the hype peaks to a
crescendo-level. Churches often wait until the last minute and parishioners are
not given the time to get excited and worked up
Some, in the AME
Church, fail to celebrate the great moments in the life of the AME Church; of
the significant contributions of our forefathers and foremothers. We let significant dates slip right by us
without even a “blush of shame.”
Churches should be
planning for Advent, Christmas, Founder’s Day, and Black History Month
celebrations now. And it’s not too late to plan for Martin Luther King, Jr.
celebrations and for those who celebrate Kwanzaa.
A good reason
There are religious
and proprietary reasons why we should want parishioners to “fired-up” for
religious celebrations.
The business model
has been proven hyped-up people spend more money and hyped-up parishioners will
give more money.
When you walk into
a department store, the atmosphere makes you feel good and makes you want to
spend money. You almost feel like a failure if you don’t spend money.
Local churches need
to learn to establish an atmosphere that will make people want to give and
support the work of ministry. Celebrations properly executed create positive
environments.
Don’t wait
I am afraid that
many churches create atmospheres that discourage generous giving. I have seen churches that wait until the
Sunday before Christmas to put up the Christmas decorations. Parishioners have
spent most of their Christmas money by the week before Christmas.
I have seen
churches without Advent decorations and the climate in the sanctuary and
worship are “so-so,” absent of excitement in the Sundays before Christmas.
A better option
Churches should be
decorated for Advent and Christmas no later than the first Sunday in Advent.
Advent Candles and the Christ Candle should be in place on the first Sunday in
Advent with special bulletins and inserts already printed. Get the people excited about Christmas and
hopefully about the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. Have some Advent
coin folders ready the Sunday before Advent. Make a big deal of Advent.
Celebrate Advent and Christmas with vigor.
If pastors and
local church leaders have forgotten or not read about how Advent complements
Christmas, they need to brush up on it and learn religious and theological
marketing techniques. Hype and excitement does not just happens, it takes
planning and strategy.
We lament about
children not memorizing their parts as children did in years past, but it is
not the children’s fault; children need to be given time to learn their
recitations. Christmas recitations should be given out no later than the Sunday
after thanksgiving. We need to get the children and their parents hyped up
about Advent and Christmas; and about all of the religious holy days.
And on the first
Sunday in January, churches need to be decorating and focusing on Founder’s Day
celebrations. I suspect that many
churches wait until February to think about Founder’s Day and when the
leadership waits until the last minute, parishioners don’t have time to get
hyped-up.
Preparation for the
Easter celebration needs to begin on Ash Wednesday so parishioners, throughout
the Lenten season, can get in the mood for Easter.
Excitement is contagious
We need to stop
waiting until the last minute. We need to get excited and our parishioners need
to get excited. We can best get excited when we plan ahead instead of waiting
until the last minute.
And, by the way
And as an example
of not waiting until the last minute, Daylight Time in the U.S. ends on Sunday
November 3, 2013 and churches need to get that notice out weeks before the
time-change. I suspect most of us wait until the last minute and make the
announcement the Sunday before the time-change.
2. MORRIS BROWN COLLEGE STATUS REPORT:
A Message
from Dr. Preston Warren Williams II, Presiding Prelate of the Sixth Episcopal
District of the African Methodist Episcopal Church
August 29, 2013
This week Morris
Brown College reconvened in Bankruptcy Court for the judge to decide whether a
Motion filed by Morris Brown College to permit the AME Church to assist with
post-petition operating expenses would be approved. Fortunately, the parties worked through this
request by agreement, and while the AME Church will be providing up to $7.5
Million for this purpose, the first $300,000 was approved by the court at that
hearing, with a further hearing scheduled for September 16, 2013. In addition, the Sixth Episcopal District has
separately committed to raise $1.5 Million for the ongoing operating expenses
of Morris Brown College.
Several MBC
alumni and friends were in attendance at the hearing, as well as
representatives from Invest Atlanta and the TV and print media. Most were waiting to hear about the new
reorganization plan of Morris Brown College, but instead, Morris Brown College,
the AME Church, the creditors and all of the main parties in this proceeding
agreed to work cooperatively over the next couple of weeks and extend the
exclusive period for Morris Brown to file a reorganization plan until September
6, 2013. This is a very positive
result!
Brothers and
Sisters – despite the many challenges we face at Morris Brown College, God is
in the midst of this! One of our
attorneys reminded me that this situation is covered in Galatians Chapter 6, Versus 9 & 10, which reads:
9So
let's not allow ourselves to get fatigued doing good. At the right time we will
harvest a good crop if we don't give up, or quit. 10Right
now, therefore, every time we get the chance, let us work for the benefit of
all, starting with the people closest to us in the community of faith.” http://bible.us/Gal 6.9&
10.MSG
When lawyers
start quoting scriptures, you know that God is in the middle of this! So, as we continue to work on creating a
final reorganization plan, “don’t give up, or quit.” We need your prayers, presence, and if
possible, your financial support too.
Toward that end, the Trustees of the Sixth Episcopal District have
created a Trust, held at Wells Fargo Bank, managed by a CPA and registered with
state and federal authorities, solely For the Benefit Of Morris Brown
College. Love Offerings and Donations
received in this Trust will be used for expenses incurred by Morris Brown
College since the filing of its reorganization bankruptcy.
If you can,
please help by making a donation of One Hundred Dollars, or more. You can walk directly into any Wells Fargo
Bank and tell the teller that you want to make a deposit into the Sixth
Episcopal District Trust Inc. For the Benefit of Morris Brown College account
with ZIP CODE 30341. Donations must be made out to: “SED Trust Inc. FBO
Morris Brown College.”
Your continued
support and generosity is greatly appreciated!
God bless you and keep you AND Morris Brown College under GOD'S watchful
eye and protection.
Submitted by
Benjamin Harrison, Communications Director, 6th Episcopal
District AME Church
3. READER RESPONSE TO EDITORIAL
AND OTHER ISSUES:
-- Letter to the Editor:
RE:
This link at the end of this message has the audio of the conclusion of the speech delivered by Archibald
Carey. Jr. at the Republican Convention of 1952, which intentionally or
unintentionally was "echoed" at the March on
Washington of 1963.
This is information which I feel we should all
be reminded of as we celebrate the March on Washington, which as you have
already stated was the brainchild of Asa Philip Randolph--and AME preacher's
son.
I shared this with our Local Church during our
Black History Month Celebration in February this year.
Robert T. Matthews III
4. OBAMA, HOLDER, JARRETT, AME SENIOR BISHOP
JOHN BRYANT, SHARPTON MEET TO DISCUSS PUSHING OBAMACARE:
President Obama and
his two biggest cheerleaders, Attorney General Eric Holder and advisor Valerie
Jarrett, met with African-American faith leaders, including the Rev. Al
Sharpton, Monday morning to ask for their help pushing and promoting Obamacare
in their communities.
The faith leaders
from around the country are in Washington to commemorate the 50th anniversary
of the March on Washington and Martin Luther King’s epic “I Have a Dream”
speech, and will join Obama as he speaks on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial
on Wednesday.
According to the
press release from the White House Monday morning, Sharpton and the others
outlined their plans to push Obamacare in their congregations:
This morning, the
President met with African-American faith leaders to discuss the 50th Anniversary
of the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom and how civil rights and
equality are closely tied to voting rights and closing the gap on education,
unemployment, and access to health care. The faith leaders from major
African-American church denominations are in Washington to mark the 50th
anniversary of the March on Washington. The President noted that while the
country has made enormous strides in the decades since the March, more work
remains to be done to ensure that our country is more fair, more free, and more
just than it was 50 years ago. The President noted that his Administration is
continuing to fight to ensure that the right to vote is protected, and he also
discussed the upcoming start of open enrollment in the Health Insurance
Marketplace, and that the difficult but critical work of enrolling millions of
Americans in health exchanges around the country continues. Thanks to the
Affordable Care Act, an estimated 7.3 million African Americans with private
insurance now have access to expanded preventive services with no cost, and
nearly 7 million African Americans without health insurance will newly have
access to quality, affordable health insurance options in 2014. The faith
leaders told the President about their plans to work with their congregations
and partners to inform people about the Marketplace. The President thanked the
leaders for their prayers, and said that he looks forward to continuing to work
with them. The President and the faith leaders concluded their meeting with a
prayer.
African-American faith leaders in the
meeting included:
- Dr. Carroll
Baltimore, President, Progressive National Baptist Convention
- Bishop George
Battle, Senior Bishop, African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church
- Bishop John
Bryant, Senior Bishop, African Methodist Episcopal Church
- Bishop Thomas
Hoyt, Senior Bishop, Christian Methodist Episcopal Church
- Bishop Michael
Kelsey, Executive Treasurer, Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship
- The Rev. Alvin
Love, National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc.
- The Rev. Otis
Moss, Jr., Progressive National Baptist Convention
- The Rev. Al
Sharpton, Founder/President, National Action Network
- The Rev. Stephen
Thurston, President, National Baptist Convention of America
- Dr. C.T. Vivian,
President, Southern Christian Leadership Conference
- Dr. Barbara
Williams Skinner, Executive Director, Skinner Leadership Institute
Administration Officials in the meeting
included:
Attorney General
Eric Holder
Valerie Jarrett,
Senior Advisor to the President
Melissa Rogers,
Executive Director, White House Office of Faith-based and Neighborhood
Partnerships
The Rev. Suzan
Johnson Cook, Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom, U.S.
Department of State
5. BISHOP JAMES L. DAVIS OPENS THE CHURCH'S
NORTHWEST ALABAMA ANNUAL CONFERENCE AT FAIRFIELD CIVIC CENTER:
By Greg Garrison
AME Bishop James L.
Davis opened the church's Northwest Alabama Annual Conference on Aug. 27, 2013.
It continues through Aug. 31, 11 a.m., with the announcement of clergy
appointments.
Methodist Episcopal
Church opened its Northwest Alabama annual conference today at 4 p.m. at
Fairfield Civic Center, and AME Bishop James L. Davis hopes for a revival and
restoration of the denomination in Alabama.
Several hundred
people, clergy and lay members, gathered for the opening session today.
The conference
continues daily through the last session Saturday, Aug. 31, at 11 a.m., when
Davis will announce about 90 clergy appointments for the more than 80 AME churches
in northern Alabama.
The AME Church has
about 3.5 million U.S. members and was founded in 1816 by the Rev. Richard
Allen in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, as a group of black Methodist
congregations who wanted to establish their independence from white Methodists.
"We're the
oldest denomination of color in the whole of America," Davis said.
"It started off empowering people in Jesus' name. We believe in empowering
people."
Davis said the
denomination is trying to recapture some of its past vitality.
"We're living
in a post-denominational era," Davis said. "We have denied tradition
as if it's a bad thing. Tradition is a good thing. It comes out of a solid
understanding of our beliefs."
The AME conference
is raising money this week for the Legacy Village, a planned renovation of the
campus of the defunct Daniel Payne College, an AME school that closed down
years ago. The last remaining building on the campus was damaged in the April
27, 2011 tornado. It was razed after that, Davis said.
Future plans for
the 153-acre site include a $10 million church conference center with a
1,000-seat banquet hall and a 2,000-seat sanctuary. The AME hopes to eventually
build homes as part of a community for retired clergy.
More than $3
million has been raised toward the project, and Davis hopes to hit the $4
million mark this week.
Davis oversees
about 276 AME churches in Alabama with combined membership of more than 55,000.
6. VIDEO-CLIP OF THE MINISTRY OF THE REV.
JAMES LAWSON:
Preacher persuaded students
to risk lives for civil rights. Guided by faith and a commitment to
nonviolence, James Lawson taught students to fight for justice, and he’s still
fighting.
Click here or type address in your browser:
**From The Tennessean, August 25. 2013
7. BROWN CHAPEL GOES BACK TO SCHOOL:
Houston, Texas –
Brown Chapel welcomed students back to school with a sending-forth and blessing
ceremony held Sunday, August 25, the day before most local public school
districts started a new school year.
Every student from elementary, middle, high school and college kneeled
at the altar as well as returning school educators. Each student and educator was individually
prayed for and anointed for a successful school year. In addition, each student
was given a gift card to purchase school supplies. Brown Chapel also extended
its support of education to outside the walls of its faith community by giving
two area schools gift cards to help the campuses with needs.
8. BROWN CHAPEL AME CHURCH (HOUSTON, TEXAS)
MEMBER SERVES AS A FOREIGN SERVICE CONTRACTING OFFICER IN RWANDA:
The Rev. Salatheia Honors
Houston, Texas -
Brown Chapel AME Church member Marva Butler, 28, is living and working in
Rwanda for two years as a Foreign Service Contracting Officer with the United
States Agency for International Development (USAID).
Her office is
located at the US Embassy in Kigali, Rwanda.
While in Rwanda,
Marva will work in the areas of democracy, governance and education. Her
responsibilities include negotiating, awarding and administering grants and
contracts to support key programs in support of US foreign policy interests,
such as disaster assistance, women and gender, and HIV/AIDS.
Butler is a member
of Brown Chapel located in Houston. Marva is the daughter of Marvin and Alvera
Butler. Her parents are active members of Brown Chapel AME Church. Marvin
Butler is a steward and her mother Alvera is the Sunday School Superintendent.
A special prayer
service was held at Brown before Marva left for Rwanda. Members embraced her
and sent her off with their blessings.
“This is what she
wanted to do so we will not hold her back,” said Marvin Butler. “She has always
been adventurous.”
In the couple of months
that she has been in the continent she has had some wonderful experiences
exploring the country and learning the people. Her embassy was one of the
locations that the Obama administration ordered closed this summer as a result
of a general terrorist threat. She sent an email to her parents letting them
know that she was fine.
USAID plays a
critical role in our nation’s effort to stabilize countries and build
responsive local governance; the agency works on the same problems as the
military using a different set of tools. The USAID also eases the transition
between conflict and long-term development by investing in agriculture, health
systems and democratic institutions.
Before leaving for
Rwanda, Marva had to spend a year in Washington for job and language (Swahili)
training. At the end of the program she will be commissioned by the president
as a Foreign Service Officer and approved by the Senate. At the end of her
assignment she will be sent to another US embassy overseas.
Her parents made a
visit to Africa this summer. The church sent a number of letters of
encouragement to Marva through her parents and other expressions of love.
9. MAKE YOUR CHURCH NEWSLETTER WORK FOR YOU:
*The Rev. Eraina M.
Ross-Aseme, D.Min
Communication has
been around long before the telephone was a telephone, and the computer was a
computer. In fact there are so many new ways to communicate, and the methods we
use to communicate have changed drastically. This brings me to my point; how we
communicate knowledge to others can be very beneficial to churches that have a
committed and dedicated team. A
proactive team can turn the church newsletter into a gold mine. How so? I am
glad you asked.
All components of
the local church can be an intricate part of innovative idea. Although technology has allowed the faith
community to do evangelism through cyberspace in allowing more people to be
reached for Christ, the church newsletter remains to be an effective way to
reach others. Nowadays, many churches
distribute hard copies of their church newsletter; and electronically. To adequately produce a successful newsletter
campaign, the local church must be committed in seeing the vision and following
through with it. So many times, we, in the church have grandiose ideas but no
follow through. Therefore, create a plan
that produces winning results.
As our economy is
having a drastic effect on not-for-profit organizations and churches, we must
be creative and intentional in seeking funds for projects, capital
improvements, programs and administration.
In order to know where we are going; we must know where we have
been. Therefore, we must know our
story. Generally, the local church hosts
a church anniversary every year in celebrating another year of Christian
service. We must ask ourselves, the
following questions: Who knows our story? How often is our story told? Where
can we find our story? Who is telling the story? In some cases, those who are passionate about
your story will follow and support the programs of the local church.
Cain Grant AME
Church has reaped some benefits of publishing a quarterly newsletter called the
Cain Grant Chronicles. In one of the issue’s of the Cain Grant Chronicles, the
Pastor’s Corner of the newsletter was shared with a friend about the community
that the church serves. She gave a gift of over two thousand dollars which
started the community fund. This community fund has been used for outreach. On
another occasion, recently family members were recognized in the church
newsletter and once again the church and Conference benefited.
Therefore, your
church newsletter team must have a plan in reaching others to support your
efforts. Your newsletter should include
in it information that appeals to your audience. Hosting seminars on: endowment
fund planning, life insurance, retirement, wills/trusts, Estate Planning,
gardening, childrearing, Christian Education, Stewardship, special events, etc.
will draw an audience to gather potential donor information as well as share
vital information. These sessions should
be well-planned having the proper logistics while being mindful of expenses of
hosting the event. To get the word out, a sign-up sheet and/or return envelope
should be included in the newsletter, if a hardcopy. Otherwise electronically
others can notify the church to attend or send additional information of the
subject matter. Know your target audience.
Consequently, there
are software companies that produce software to aid in gathering and storing
data of individual donors. The database
is a goldmine of potential donors who have an interest in your organization;
therefore the database must be safeguarded.
There should be a person in charge that will see to it that all personal
information is gathered on the donor and special notes are made as well. Since
this information is confidential, the person overseeing this part of the
project must be trustworthy.
It is important to
know the cost factors involved in producing a church newsletter; here are areas
to consider: printing, postage, shipping and handling, response cards and
brochures, but most of all, the cost of time and talent of the team
members. As a result, a well thought out
plan will develop excellent time management for the newsletter project. In addition,
a key element of having a successful fundraiser with the usage of the
newsletter is: follow-up. This alone
will make or break a relationship of a donor. As a rule, an acknowledgement
should be sent within 48 hours to the individual donor.
Along with having an
effective newsletter team, a team should be identified to handle the actual
donations/gifts; and be accountable to proper bookkeeping. This is generally
your finance committee, and/or sub-group of it. In addition, having readily
available legal counsel is important. On
large monetary gift may need to be reviewed for legal forms to be filed by
donor with the government.
A church newsletter
is an evangelistic tool that can reach others more than the eye can see.
*The Rev. Eraina M.
Ross-Aseme, D.Min is the pastor of Cain Grant African Methodist Episcopal
Church in Kansas City, Missouri
10. THREE TAX SCAMS TO BEWARE OF:
Are you thinking
about taxes while you’re enjoying the warm summer months? Not likely! But the
IRS wants you to know that scammers ARE thinking about taxes and ways to dupe
you out of your money.
Tax scams can happen
anytime of the year, not just during tax season. Three common year-round scams
are identity theft, phishing and return preparer fraud. These schemes are on
the top of the IRS’s “Dirty Dozen” list of scams this year. They’re illegal and
can lead to significant penalties and interest, even criminal prosecution.
Here’s more
information about these scams that every taxpayer should know.
1. Identity
Theft. Tax fraud by identity theft tops
this year’s Dirty Dozen list. Identity thieves use personal information, such
as your name, Social Security number or other identifying information without
your permission to commit fraud or other crimes. An identity thief may also use
another person’s identity to fraudulently file a tax return and claim a refund.
The IRS has a
special identity protection page on IRS.gov dedicated to identity theft issues.
It has helpful links to information, such as how victims can contact the IRS
Identity Theft Protection Specialized Unit, and how you can protect yourself
against identity theft.
2. Phishing. Scam artists use phishing to trick
unsuspecting victims into revealing personal or financial information. Phishing
scammers may pose as the IRS and send bogus emails, set up phony websites or
make phone calls. These contacts usually offer a fictitious refund or threaten
an audit or investigation to lure victims into revealing personal information.
Phishers then use the information they obtain to steal the victim’s identity,
access their bank accounts and credit cards or apply for loans. The IRS does
not initiate contact with taxpayers by email to request personal or financial
information. Please forward suspicious scams to the IRS at phishing@irs.gov.
You can also visit IRS.gov and select the link “Reporting Phishing” at the
bottom of the page.
3. Return Preparer
Fraud. Most tax professionals file
honest and accurate returns for their clients. However, some dishonest tax
return preparers skim a portion of the client’s refund or charge inflated fees
for tax preparation. Some try to attract new clients by promising refunds that
are too good to be true.
Choose carefully
when hiring an individual or firm to prepare your return. All paid tax
preparers must sign the return they prepare and enter their IRS Preparer Tax
Identification Number (PTIN). The IRS created a webpage to assist taxpayers
when choosing a tax preparer. It includes red flags to look for and information
on how and when to make a complaint.
Visit www.irs.gov/chooseataxpro.
For the full list of
2013 Dirty Dozen tax scams, or to find out how to report suspected tax fraud,
visit IRS.gov.
11. THE 12TH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT
2013 SCHEDULE OF ANNUAL CONFERENCES:
Bishop Samuel
Lawrence Green, Presiding Prelate
Oklahoma State Annual Conference
Allen Chapel AMEC, Oklahoma City, OK
Church Phone:
405-424-6624
September 7, 2013:
Youth
September 9, 2013:
WMS Annual Convention
September 10-12,
2013: Annual Conference
The Reverend Harvey
G. Potts, Host Pastor
The Reverend Roger
O. Alford, Host Presiding Elder
The Reverend
Marcellus Fields, Associate Presiding Elder
Arkansas Annual Conference
Bethel AMEC, West Memphis, AR
Church Phone:
870-732-3446
September 14, 2013:
Youth
September 16, 2013:
WMS Annual Convention
September 17-19,
2013: Annual Conference
The Reverend Larry
M. Banks, Host Pastor
The Reverend Johnny
Kelly, Host Presiding Elder
The Reverend Eugene
Brannon, Associate Presiding Elder
The Reverend Thomas
G. Allen, Associate Presiding Elder
West Arkansas Annual Conference
St. James AMEC, Camden, AR
Church Phone:
870-836-9783
September 21, 2013:
Youth
September 23, 2013:
WMS Annual Convention
September 24-26,
2013: Annual Conference
The Reverend
Napoleon Davis, Jr., Host Pastor
The Reverend James
R. Hooper, Host Presiding Elder
The Reverend
Clarence Guy, Associate Presiding Elder
The Reverend
Clarence Reynolds, Associate Presiding Elder
East Arkansas Annual Conference
St.
John AMEC, Pine Bluff, AR
Church Phone:
870-535-3760
September 28, 2013:
Youth
September 30, 2013:
WMS Annual Convention
October 1-3, 2013:
Annual Conference
The Reverend Alvin
Smith, Host Pastor
The Reverend James
Thomas, Host Presiding Elder
The Reverend James
Giles, Associate Presiding Elder
The Reverend Nolan
Watson, Associate Presiding Elder
Fall Convocation and Planning Conference
October 3-5, 2013
Theme: “Releasing
the Power Within: The Cost of Discipleship”
East Arkansas Annual
Conference, Host
Holiday Inn City
Center
Fort Smith, Arkansas
Telephone:
479-783-1000
12. GETTING TO ZERO AND WELLNESS:
By Dr. Oveta Fuller
This is the season
of Annual Conferences in most Episcopal Districts. It is a time of coming
together to report on the conference year that is ending, to meet and greet, to
renew and refresh. It is especially noted as a time to receive new pastoral
appointments for another year.
It is a time to
report. What trials have we seen? How have souls been affected by the work of
our hands through the Power and Presence of God? Has the church membership
changed, up or down? How many conversions, accessions, baptisms? How many
deaths and marriages? Is it well with your soul, my brother, my sister? And
yes, how much funds were raised and how much is brought to Conference?
Annual Conference or
whenever there is a large gathering of people in the vast African Methodist
Episcopal Church (AMEC) is an opportune time to think and act for wellness.
In the classic book
Healing and Christianity, Morton Kelsey makes a convincing case that God wants
us well in all ways- spiritually, mentally and physically. The ministry of
Jesus was about moving humankind to a state of wellness through restoring the
relationship with the Father that was intended when we were created “in the
image of God”.
Illness is not
punishment for sin or for anything. Sometimes it is a consequence of actions.
Sometimes, but not always, these actions are outside of the will of God.
Sometimes illness just happens. It is the result of simple decline in
functioning of the physical body because body organs wear out or something is
out of balance. The physical body is not designed to work forever. “From dust
you were made and from dust you shall return.” Sometimes illness is rooted in
the psychological response to events in life. Illness is not a state that is
desired by or sent from God.
What is the
responsibility of Church leaders for wellness? Jesus set the example. Wherever
he went, He was about wellness. He healed the sick, gave sight to the blind,
made those who were lame to walk, opened the ears of the deaf, removed mental
illnesses, cleansed people of infectious diseases and taught people how to live
in victory. He brought life. Sometimes it was with a touch, sometimes with
words, sometimes with actions. He even made alive some who were physically dead.
Always it was with compassion, care and divine Power. ‘Miracles’ is what many
called His healing. Many initially followed Him because of such healing power.
We now are in the
21st Century. Do miracles of healing occur today? Does God want us well today?
Is Divine Power for healing and wellness available, accessible today? Yes.
God is providing
healing still, all the time, in multiple ways.
An open spirit with eyes to see and ears to hear can attest to these. It
is not only by manifestation of the supernatural (the Divine) as present in
some healing ministries. The power for healing is available, present, occurring
in multiple ways in the everyday life of believers within the communities of
the Christian faith. It is up to us to ask, believe, access and see the
multiple ways for wellness. We can help to make them even more widely
available.
“Go and do
likewise,” is what Jesus told the young lawyer at the conclusion of the parable
of the Good Samaritan. Today this might be stated, “model, show, do what can be
done to be well yourself and to help others to be well.”
Annual Conferences,
Planning Meetings, Founder’s Day, Mid-Year Conference, Board of Christian
Education Conferences, District Meetings, WMS, YPD, Lay Organization, clergy
and other retreats, revivals, choir and church anniversaries, Health Fairs and
Annual Days of other ministries -- all are times when AMECs meet. We gather
together. These are opportunities for active engagement of a Health and
Wellness Ministry to bring health screenings and reminders for wellness to
attendees.
The structure and
vast reach of the AMEC network are well set up to help bring about wellness-
spiritually, mentally and physically. This has been recognized for many years.
Practically, how does increasing wellness happen?
In this new season,
look at the Health and Wellness Ministry in your church, Annual Conference or
Episcopal District. Who are the persons with giftedness, professional training or
interests in or passions for wellness? How do they become actively engaged? How
do they work with others in a team to promote wellness through the Church? Leaders, especially clergy, can intentionally
engage and empower people who will focus on increasing wellness at the local,
Conference and Episcopal District levels. There is so much possibility!
Wellness, not
disease, is the preferred status of humankind. A sound body, mind and spirit
are especially available to those in the body of Christ.
*The Rev. Dr. A. Oveta Fuller is an Associate Professor in
Microbiology and Immunology at the University of Michigan Medical School and
Adjunct Faculty at Payne Seminary. She served as pastor of Bethel AME Church in
Adrian, MI for seven years before primarily focusing on global HIV/AIDS
ministry. Currently, she serves at Brown Chapel AME Church in Ypsilanti,
Michigan in the 4th Episcopal District while continuing HIV/AIDS
research in parts of Zambia and the USA.
13. iCHURCH SCHOOL
LESSON BRIEF FOR SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 1, 2013 - CREATION IS COOL! - PSALM 104: 5-9;
24-30:
Bill Dickens, Allen AME Church, Tacoma, Washington
Basic Need
September 1, 2013 is the start of the Fall Quarter for the
AME Church School. Over the next two
months students will be exploring a medley of topics thru the spiritual lens of
early Creation, Fall of Humanity, the Flood, and the Four Patriarchs. In the month of November we will shift our
focus to the 2nd Book of the Torah, Exodus.
We begin our Quarter with a song of celebration about God in His
Creation role. God’s creation is unique
because His work is comprehensive, creative, and compassionate. As any budding
painter or artist can attest, his or her handiwork will be ultimately judged on
whether or not the product is a masterpiece or an also-ran. The case for God’s Creation activity as a
masterpiece is clearly communicated in Psalm 104. Let’s see why!
Basic Lesson
Today’s lesson is a helpful transition to next week’s
discussion in Genesis Chapter 1. Psalm
104 exhorts readers to praise God because He is good, His mercy is everlasting
and His truth is timeless. These
attributes are manifested in the Divine architecture associated with His
Creation. This psalm has been described
by many theologians as “a poetical commentary upon the first chapter of
Genesis.” The psalmist recognizes that
God’s Creation is unique because unlike humans who make something, God creates
“something from nothing”. This is the ex-nihilo aspect of Divine creation. In addition, God’s creation is comprehensive
(verses 4 – 9). His work is broad in
scope not confided to limits or constraints.
God’s creation is also compassionate (verses 11- 16). His care and concern is demonstrated in how
he makes provisions for all life forms, human and non-human. Finally God’s handiwork is creative (verses
24 – 30). The mystery of the universe
confirms that only a Divine Personality could have concocted such an elaborate
architecture. Einstein was right on
target when he opined, “God does not play dice with the universe.”
Basic Application
We are all endowed with the ability to ‘create”. As the title of lesson states, Creation Is
Cool! When the game is on the line, a football or basketball playmaker is often
asked to - “make a play” in order to influence the outcome of the score. When we “make a play” we are being summoned
to create something for the good of the team.
We are creators with a lower case ‘c’.
Our creation ability is temporal and physically limited. We can only create up to our creative
potential by understanding the Creator with the upper case ‘C’ and submitting
our will for His purpose. Then and only
then can we conclude our creative works are praiseworthy.
*Brother Bill Dickens is currently the Church School Teacher
at Allen AME Church in Tacoma, Washington.
He is currently a member of the Fellowship of Church Educators for the
AME Church.
14. MEDITATION BASED
ON MATTHEW 6:25-33:
*The Rev. Dr. Joseph A. Darby
This week's fiftieth year commemoration of the March on Washington
caused me to reflect on my memories of the Civil Rights era of the
mid-twentieth century. Doing so brought
back one memory that's neither solemn nor historically significant, but is
instructive for daily life.
Most of Columbia, South Carolina's restaurants were
desegregated by the time I was in high school.
The only holdout was Piggie Park, across the river from Columbia in
Cayce, South Carolina. When that
restaurant ran out of legal objections and had to serve all comers, a lot of
Black folk - including yours truly - immediately went there to discover the
marvelous food that we'd previously been unable to enjoy.
The funny thing, however, was that the food wasn't all that
"marvelous." It was average at
best, and not nearly as good as the food at Columbia's black owned Pig Trail
Inn, A & B House and Bert's Grill.
Few of us went back to Piggie Park, because what we thought was long
denied great cuisine was a major disappointment.
My teenage experience with that restaurant mirrors our
lifelong quest for well-being. All of us
want the best in life and sometimes yearn for the enticing things and
experiences that we see others enjoying, and some of us spend frustrated days
and restless nights either longing for those things or trying to get to them by
any means necessary.
We sometimes, however, find that when we get those things or
go through those experiences, they turn out to be either bitter disappointments
that are often less than we hoped for and more that we bargained for, or
burdensome aggravations that come with "strings attached."
When we turn away from our relentless "quest for the
best" and look to The Lord, we'll find enduring peace of mind and true joy
in life, trusting in the Jesus who said that God knows what we need before we ask
for it and that when we seek God's Kingdom and righteousness, we'll have all
that we need.
Do your best to strive for success and for the best that
life has to offer and to provide all of life's advantages for those that you
love and care for, but let God lead you as you pursue your goals - no matter
how "green" the grass looks on your neighbor's property. You'll have less disappointment, more delight
and a greater awareness of why one modern Gospel song says, "I know
without a doubt that He will bring me out, what God has for me, it is for
me."
Get Ready for Sunday, and have a great day in your house of
worship!
*The Rev. Dr. Joseph A. Darby is the Presiding Elder of the
Beaufort District of the South Carolina Annual Conference of the Seventh Episcopal
District of the African Methodist Episcopal Church
15. EPISCOPAL AND
CLERGY FAMILY CONGRATULATORY ANNOUNCEMENTS:
-- Bishop Vashti
Murphy McKenzie and Supervisor Stan McKenzie Celebrates 45th Wedding
Anniversary
Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie, Presiding Prelate of the
Tenth Episcopal District, African Methodist Episcopal Church and Episcopal
Supervisor Stan McKenzie celebrates their Forth-Fifth Wedding Anniversary,
Friday, August 30, 2013.
Congratulations and best-wishes can be emailed to:
Supervisor Stan McKenzie: stanmckenzie44@aol.com
Or mail to:
Tenth Episcopal District AME Church
4347 S. Hampton Road, Suite 245
Dallas, TX 75232
Telephone: (214) 333-2632
FAX: (214) 333-1960
-- Mrs. Karyn Young-Lowe received award,
Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF)
Congratulations to Mrs. Karyn Young-Lowe, Founder and CEO of
LightHouse Social Service Centers, on receiving the award of the Supportive
Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) Grant through the Department of Veterans
Affairs. SSVF funds are granted to
nonprofit organizations and consumer cooperatives to assist very low-income
Veteran families by providing a range of supportive services designed to
promote housing stability and homeless prevention services. LightHouse, a 501(c) 3 non-profit corporation
currently provides transitional living services to homeless male veterans who
are living with a mental illness. The
agency began providing services to veterans in February 2011.
Karyn is a member of Ward AME Church in Los Angeles,
California where the Reverend Taurus Myhand is the Pastor. She is a member of
the Artisha Wilkerson Jordan Women's Missionary Society. She is also the Parent
Coordinator for the Ward A.M.E. Church YPD.
Karyn is married to Ron Lowe who serves as the Minister of Music for
Ward AME and the 5th Episcopal District Director of Music. They are the proud parents of two beautiful
daughters, Jennifer Renee and Jessica Christine. Mrs. Young-Lowe is the eldest
daughter of Bishop and Mrs. McKinley Young.
Bishop McKinley Young, Presiding Prelate, Third Episcopal
District Office: bishopyoung@bellsouth.net
Dr. Dorothy Jackson Young, Episcopal Supervisor: supdjy@gmail.com
-- Mrs. Deana Young
McAllister was recently promoted from Supervisor of Human Resources to Director
I status
Mrs. Deana Young McAllister was recently promoted from the
Supervisor of Human Resources (responsible for Certified/Instructional Staff)
to the Director I status and will now serve as the Assistant Director for the
Office of Human Resources for Leon County Schools. Mrs. McAllister is the daughter of Bishop and
Mrs. McKinley Young and is a member of Bethel AME Church in Tallahassee,
Florida where her husband, the Reverend Dr. Julius McAllister, Jr. is the
pastor. Deana serves as the 3rd Vice
President of the 11th District WMS.
Deana and Julius are the proud parents of Julius III, Colin McKinley and
Dylan David.
Bishop McKinley Young, Presiding Prelate, Third Episcopal
District Office: bishopyoung@bellsouth.net
Dr. Dorothy Jackson Young, Episcopal Supervisor: supdjy@gmail.com
-- Ms. Stephanie Lynn
Young Joined Ten Congressional Communication Staffers traveling to China
Ms. Stephanie Lynn Young joined ten other Congressional
Communication Staffers from August 13 - 23, 2013 on a journey to China
sponsored by the National Committee on U.S. - China relations: Promoting
Constructive Engagement since 1966. Ms.
Young is the National Press Secretary for the Democratic Whip, the Honorable
Steny Hoyer (D-MD). She is the youngest
daughter of Bishop and Mrs. McKinley Young and a member of Allen Chapel AME
Church, Washington, DC where the Reverend Michael Bell is her pastor.
Bishop McKinley Young, Presiding Prelate, Third Episcopal
District Office: bishopyoung@bellsouth.net
Dr. Dorothy Jackson Young, Episcopal Supervisor: supdjy@gmail.com
-- The Rev. Henry J.
Legolie of the Fifteenth Episcopal District Celebrates 100th
Birthday
The Cape Town District under the leadership of Presiding
Elder Willem S. Hanse joins the 15th Episcopal District under the leadership of
Bishop David R. Daniels and the connection in wishing the Rev. Henry J. Legolie
a blessed 100th birthday on this the 30th day of August in the year of our Lord
2013. Rev Legolie has the distinction of serving as an itinerant minister in
the African Methodist Episcopal Church for more than 50 years.
He has faithfully served in every conference of the Cape
Annual Conference and has ensured that there is a member of the Legolie Family
serving as an ordained minister in the African Methodist Episcopal Church
practically since its founding in South Africa. We salute his steadfastness and
love for his God and the church he was reared in, standing by it through the
sunshine and the rain. He has proved to be an example of what it is like to be
a disciplined and committed soldier in the army of the Lord, putting many a
young preacher to shame with his zest, enthusiasm and dedication to that which
God has called him.
As with every servant of God, he has weathered many storms,
yet none were fierce enough, wild enough nor strong enough to move him from The
Rock he not only built his life on, but wherein his faith lays. The hurt he
experienced in the very church he loved, and diligently served was not severe
enough that he decided to find another vineyard to bloom in, but he bloomed
where he was planted. You take the whole world but give me Jesus was without a
doubt his credo, as the material attractions of this world never got the better
of him. The African Methodist Episcopal Church, especially the Cape Annual
Conference is so much the richer for having the Rev. Henry J. Legolie as a
mentor and guide, sent by God to keep the boat in the direction He would have
it go.
Messages of congratulations may be forwarded to our
electronic newsletter: newslettereaders@yahoo.com
Or to:
16. FINAL
ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE LATE PRESIDING ELDER MILLARD LLOYD DAVIS:
The Reverend Dr. Millard Lloyd Davis, Presiding Elder of the
Blue Mountain District of the Jamaica Annual Conference passed Monday, August
19, 2013.
At the time of his passing he served as Presiding Elder of
the Blue Mountain District of the Jamaica Conference, Treasurer of the 16th
District Presiding Elders Council, and Vice President of the Jamaica Council of
Churches, and most recently served as the Vice Chair of the 16th District
General Board and Investiture Committee. He was the proud Pastor of Kyle's
Temple AME Church, St. Mary's, Jamaica prior to his appointment as Presiding
Elder in April 2010.
The following information has been provided by the family of
the Reverend Dr. Millard Lloyd Davis regarding his Thanksgiving Service.
Thanksgiving Service:
Saturday, September 7, 2013 11:00 AM
Viewing:
Saturday, September 7, 2013 10:00-11:00 AM
Venue:
Karram Speid Auditorium
Merl Grove High School
77-79 Constant Spring Road
Kingston 10, Jamaica
Eulogist: The
Right Reverend Sarah Frances Davis, Presiding Prelate 16th Episcopal District;
President of the Council of Bishops of the African Methodist Episcopal Church
and Vice-President of the World Methodist Council of Churches
Interment will be at:
Meadowrest Memorial Gardens
Whittakers Mountain Green Acres
St. Catherine, Jamaica
Expressions of Sympathy may be sent to:
Mrs. Vinnett Davis
Telephone: 1-876-350-9323
Mail:
Mrs. Vinnett Davis
Lot 183 Allistair Avenue
Bridgeport P.O.
St. Catherine, Jamaica, West Indies
Please pray for Sister Vinnett Davis and her family, the
Blue Mountain District of the Jamaica Conference, and the entire 16th
District family.
Bishop Sarah Frances Taylor Davis
Presiding Prelate of 16th Episcopal District
17. CLERGY FAMILY
BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
It is with deep regret that we communicate to you the
untimely death of the retired Rev. Dr. Henry Chinyanteni Alimasi of the South
West Zambia Conference of the Seventeenth Episcopal District. The Reverend Rev.
Dr. Henry Chinyanteni Alimasi passed on from labor to reward in the early hours
of Tuesday, the 27th August, 2013.
The funeral is being held in Kansuswa, Mufulira, Zambia.
Other details will be communicated at a later stage.
Rev. Dr. H C Alimasi served as Pastor-in-Charge for Quinn
Chapel (Chingola), Bright Chapel (Kitwe), Bethel (Lusaka) and was Presiding
Elder - Copperbelt Central at the time of his retirement in 2010.
The funeral was on Thursday, August 29, 2013 at the United
Church of Zambia, in Kansuswa, Mufulir, Zambia. The services were handled by
Ambassador Funeral Parlour. The funeral was attended by a huge constituency of
AMEs drawn from all the Conferences.
Burial was at Kansuswa Cemetery in Mufulira. The entire
community activities came to a stand-still as the funeral procession passed
through the community. The Bishops' Active Assistant, Presiding Elder Leanard
Chola delivered the word.
Submitted by the Rev. Royd Mwandu, Director of BOCE,
Seventeenth Episcopal District
18. CONGRATULATORY
ANNOUNCEMENTS PROVIDED BY:
Ora L. Easley, Administrator
AMEC Clergy Family Information Center
Email: Amespouses1@bellsouth.net
Web page: http://www.amecfic.org/
Phone: (615) 837-9736 (H)
Phone: (615) 833-6936 (O)
Cell: (615) 403-7751
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AMEC_CFIC
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-AME-Church-Clergy-Family-Information-Center/167202414220
19. CONDOLENCES TO THE BEREAVED FROM THE CHRISTIAN RECORDER:
The Chair of the Commission on Publications, the Right Reverend
T. Larry Kirkland; the Publisher, the Reverend Dr. Johnny Barbour and the
Editor of The Christian Recorder, the
Reverend Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III offer our condolences and prayers to those
who have lost loved ones. We pray that the peace of Christ will be with you
during this time of your bereavement.
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